A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates, as stated in the heading of this specification, to a system controlling takings and prizes, the purpose of which is at all times to have a count of the money gambled and the prizes awarded in gaming machines giving random prizes or the like to avoid human or mechanical errors causing takings in such machines to be diverted.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The systems existing nowadays for controlling money gambled and prizes delivered comprise terminals connected to the gaming machines with a cable, acquiring the data they have in order for a computer to subsequently process such information.

[0003] This kind of systems implies that there is a need to be variously connected to each of the existing kinds of machines, and also a possibility of erroneous data being inserted for the tests operators run in such machines are recorded as amounts gambled, causing a deflection of the data acquired from the gaming machine.

[0004] An improvement of these conventional systems consists of the implementation of infrared communication means, which connect the prize machines with certain control devices.

[0005] In this sense, a good example is represented by the European Patent number 0 555 565 which describes a device that allows fraud-secure payment of prizes awarded by fruit machines without the machines having to be provided with their own respective payment device. This document is a prior art according to Art. 54(3) EPC.

[0006] The device allows a certain money reserve within the fruit machine to pay out the prizes to be done without and nevertheless cash prizes to be paid out without risking manipulation.

[0007] Fruit machines thus conformed serve this function providing an additional key connected to a central control unit. When the key is pressed, the characteristic data specific to the machine and the final accumulated prize status or each individual prize may alternatively be indicated by means of a data printer or a memory card writing device, which may, if necessary, be used to verify the authenticity of the information before the prize is paid out at one of the cash-registers. Verification can take place directly at the fruit machine or, once the data originating in and recorded at the fruit machine are transmitted to a receiving unit located close to the cash-register, at the very cash-register.

[0008] German Patent DE-A-4112188 is also known to describe a coin-operated gaming machine provided with a gaming device with symbols, the circular bodies carrying the winning symbols showing, upon being stopped by a central control unit and obtained at random, a game result, as the case may be with a risk gaming device, an automatic gaming device or the like, indicators to display winnings, the accumulated value or the like, and an appropriate remote control operated by press-buttons.

[0009] At the same time, the automatic gaming machine contains an emitter coupled to the control unit, activating a respective receiver in the remote control and a receiver coupled to the control unit, which may be activated by the respective remote control emitter, in which the functions may all be transmitted individually or in two-way mode through the emitting-receiving systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The system for controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject of the invention solves the problems that exist nowadays, introducing elements that allow remote infrared signal reading in any kind of prize machines fitted with basic electronic circuits, in which means are inserted for reading information on the game played which the machine produces, storing the information in memory and allowing data to be inserted or stored information to be retrieved, via a terminal outside the machine, both being fitted with an infrared signal emitter-receiver circuit capable of transforming the signals into electric signals.

[0011] In particular, the system comprises the functional association of a control means having three circuits: a supervisor and communications microcontrol; an infrared light communication board associated to the control means and an adaptor board associated to the data terminal.

[0012] Within the control means the microcontrol circuit is the core of the system since it runs all operations to count and store such information in an internal RAM type memory.

[0013] The supervisor circuit deals with verifying that the circuit is working properly and is to such end fitted with two different protection systems, a WATCH-DOG system that detects faults in the running of the program and a power cut circuit that warns the microcontrol in order to switch to a low consumption or POWER-DOWN operating mode when a power cut is detected, whereupon the microcontrol is supplied through a standby battery.

[0014] The communications circuit, designed pursuant to rule RS232, allows the control means to be connected to any peripheral fulfilling this rule.

[0015] Infrared light optical communication of the control means with a data terminal is achieved using two boards, the infrared light communication board connected to the control means, and the adaptor board, which allow PSION ORGANISER II data terminals to be communicated with the control means through the infrared light communication board.

[0016] This system is therefore new and convenient in that it can adapt to any of the machines existing in the market, whatever the manufacturer, and can read data scanned at certain points of such machines. Furthermore, no physical connection is required to read information for this is achieved by means of an infrared light transmission system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to provide a fuller description and contribute to the complete understanding of the characteristics of this invention, a set of drawings is attached to the specification which, while purely illustrative and not fully comprehensive, shows the following:

[0018] Figure 1 is a block diagram of the system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject of the invention.

[0019] Figure 2 is an electronic diagram of the control means.

[0020] Figure 3 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the control means.

[0021] Figure 4 is the component side of printed circuit on the control means board.

[0022] Figure 5 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the control means board.

[0023] Figure 6 is the electronic diagram of the infrared light communication board.

[0024] Figure 7 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the infrared light communication board.

[0025] Figure 8 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the infrared light communications board.

[0026] Figure 9 is the electronic diagram of the adaptor board for access to the information through a data terminal.

[0027] Figure 10 is the silk screen printing of the printed circuit board of the adaptor board.

[0028] Figure 11 is the weld side of the printed circuit of the adaptor board.

[0029] Figure 12 is a diagram of the interface between the control means and the various elements of the gaming machine, and the connections with other possible peripherals.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The figures show that the system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines subject hereof comprises the functional association of a control means (1) and an infrared light communication board (2), on the one hand, both linked to the gaming machine (3), and an adaptor board (4) linked to the data terminal (5) on the other, communication between both sets being provided to take place by infrared signals.

[0031] The control means (1) upon which the system is based comprises a microcontrol (U1) that runs the counter operations and further acts as an information storage memory that will be supported by a battery (BT1) in the event of a power cut; a supervisor element (U2) that detects both faults in program running and power cuts, and a communications element (U3), designed to establish information transmission electrically towards the infrared light communication board (2).

[0032] The connector (CN1) has contacts through which the information in any machine to which it is connected is readable, in addition to the contacts designed to send information coming from the communication element (U3) to the infrared light communication board (2).

[0033] The unit formed by the control means (1) is supported by a printed circuit board that in addition to the said elements and associated electronic circuitry, has an element (Ux) used solely to position such board inside the gaming machine (3), in particular at one of the free sockets of the control board in the said machine.

[0034] The control means (1), being the essential portion of the control system, and as explained in the previous paragraph is fitted inside the gaming machine (3), houses the relevant information on merely reading the same at specific locations of the machine as such, whatever the machine.

[0035] The infrared light communication board (2) will also be housed within the gaming machine (3), joined to the control means (1) through conductors leaving from the connector (CN2) through which the control means (1) sends information from its memory by means of the communication element (U3).

[0036] The purpose of the infrared light communication board (2) is none other than to transform the information received electrically from the communication element (U3) into infrared signals, to send the same out, or to transform the infrared signals received into electric signals, being able to transmit the information without having to connect any cable between both elements, viz. optically. This circuit is therefore fitted with an emitter (LD1) and a receiver (IR1)-(U5) through which the information stored in the control means (1) is requested or transmitted. It is thereby possible to have access to the information without having to open the gaming machine (3), once it has been fitted with the above-described two circuits, of the three making up the system.

[0037] The adaptor board (4) essentially comprises an emitter (LD3) receiving the infrared light communication board (2) signals, an infrared receiver (IR2) receiving the signals from the same board and the elements required for connecting the same to any data reading terminal (5) in any gaming machine and transforming the optical signal into an electric signal. The output connecting this board to the data terminal (5) is located at the points marked (RX), (+5V), (LD4), (C10) and (GND) on the said adaptor board (4).

[0038] Figures 2 to 11 show all the itemised details of the system circuits and boards. Figure 12 shows connection on the one hand to the gaming machine (3) elements, in particular its CPU (6), which supports the inputs (7) through the electronic money box (8), outputs (9) and mechanical counters (10), and on the other connection to a central computer (11) through a modem (12) or an ORGANISER terminal (13) and a printer output (14).

[0039] The control means (1) houses the microcontrol (U1) RAM, the machine code, pesetas gambled and pesetas paid out as prizes in its memory.

[0040] The games played and prizes awarded are recorded by reading the machine CPU (6) generated signals, these same signals reaching the mechanical counters (10) fitted. The information thus obtained is recorded in pesetas within the RAM memory with which the microcontrol (U1) is fitted.

[0041] The control means (1) locks the electronic money box (8) in order not to allow coins in, in any of the following events: program running fault detected by the WATCH-DOG system, counter input cables sheared and internal control means (1) information corrupt.

[0042] The control means (1) has a test operating mode in order for technicians to be able to run as many operations as they shall see fit to repair the machine, without these affecting its internal counter.

[0043] A serial communications port allows the control means (1) to be connected to run a number of operations, namely inserting the machine code in which it is fitted, setting the game and prize counters, locking the counter in test status, switching the counter to record all games played and prizes awarded, looking up the status of the control means (1) to see whether it is in active or locked mode, looking up the status of the money box (8) allowing input of coins, reading the stored machine code, and reading the games and prizes counters, in order to determine the takings and the prize percentage of the machine.

Claims

1. A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines, designed to establish at all times the count of money gambled and prizes awarded in gaming machines giving random prizes or the like, comprising the functional association of a control means (1) joined to a infrared light communication board (2), both linked to the gaming machine (3), and an adaptor board (4) linked to a data terminal (5), communication between the communication board (2) and the adaptor board (4) being provided to take place by wireless means by infrared spectrum signals, the control means (1) being fitted with a microcontrol (U1) that runs the counter operations and acts as an information storage memory that will be supported by a battery (BT1) in the event of a power cut, a supervisor element (U2) detecting both program running faults and power cuts, and a communication element (U3) establishing information transmission electrically towards the communication board.

2. A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines, as in the above claim, characterised in that the control means is supported by a printed circuit board that is, in addition to the microcontrol elements (U1), supervisor element (U2), communications element (U3) and associated electronic circuitry, fitted with a connector (CN1) through which communication is established with the gaming machine (3) and with the board (2), an element (Ux) being provided to position the board within the machine.

3. A system controlling takings and prizes in gaming machines, as in claim 1, characterised in that the infrared light communication board (2) has emitter (LD1) and receiver (U5) elements which together with the emitter (LD3) and receiver (IR2) elements on the adaptor board (4) allow information to be optically transmitted between the gaming machine and the data terminal (5), both being provided to carry means for connection to the associated elements, respectively control means (1) and data terminal (5).

Ansprüche

1. System zum Kontrollieren von Einsätzen und Preisen bei Spielautomaten mit der Zielsetzung, zu jedem Augenblick den Stand des gespielten Geldes und der ausgezahlten Preise bei Spiel automaten mit Preisausschüttung nach dem Zufallsprinzip oder vergleichbaren zu bestimmen. Das System besteht aus der funktionellen Verbindung einer Kontrollvorrichtung (1) zusammen mit einer Platte für die Übermittlung durch Infrarotlicht (2). Beide sind mit dem Spielautomaten (3) und einer Adapterplatte (4) verbunden, die mit einem Datenterminal (5) verbunden ist. Die Verbindung zwischen der Übermittlungsplatte (2) und der Adapterplatte (4) geschieht drahtlos, durch Signale im Infrarotbereich. Zur Kontrollvorrichtung (1) gehört noch ein Mikro-Wächter (U1), der die Zähloperationen übernimmt und außerdem als Informationsspeicher fungiert, der im Falle von Versorgungsausfällen durch eine Batterie (BT1) seinen Betrieb aufrechterhält, ein Überwachungselement (U2), das sowohl Fehler beim Ausführen des Programms wie auch Versorgungsausfälle aufspüren soll und ein Übermittlungselement (U3), das die elektrische Übertragung der Information zur Platte für die Übermittlung übernimmt.

2. System zum Kontrollieren von Einsätzen und Preisen bei Spielautomaten laut der vorhergehenden Anforderung, das sich dadurch auszeichnet, daß die Kontrollvorrichtung durch eine Druckschaltungsplatte getragen wird, die außer den Elementen Mikro-Wächter (U1), Überprüngselement (U2), Übermittlungselement (U3) und verbundene elektronische Schaltungen einen Konnektor (CN1) beinhaltet, durch den die Verbindung mit dem Spielautomaten (3) und der Platte (2) hergestellt wird, wobei ein Element (Ux) zur Positionierung besagter Platte im Innern des Automaten vorgesehen ist.

3. System zum Kontrollieren von Einsätzen und Preisen bei Spielautomaten laut der Anforderung 1, das sich dadurch auszeichnet, daß die Platte für die Übermittlung durch Infrarotlicht (2) über ein Senderelement (LD1) und Empfängerelement (U5) verfügt, die in Verbindung mit dem Senderelement (LD3) und dem Empfängerelement (IR2) der Adapterplatte (4) die Übermittlung der Information zwischen dem Spielautomat (3) und dem Datenterminal (5) auf dem optischen Weg ermöglichen. Beide Verbindungseinheiten sind dabei jeweils mit den verbundenen Elementen Kontrollvorrichtung (1) und Datenterminal (5) versehen.

Revendications

1. Système de contrôle de paiements et des gains pour appareils de jeux ayant pour finalité celle d'établir à tout moment le compte de l'argent mis en jeu et des gains aux machines à sous ou autres de même nature, constitué par l'association fonctionnelle d'un dispositif de contrôle (1) relié à une plaque de communication à infrarouge (2), tous deux reliés à la machine à sous (3) et à une plaque d'adaptation (4) reliée à un terminal de données (5), la communication entre la plaque de communication (2) et la plaque d'adaptation (4) s'établissant sans câble par des signaux sur le spectre des infrarouges et le dispositif de contrôle (1) intégrant un microcontrôleur (U1) chargé de réaliser les opérations de comptage et d'agir comme mémoire de stockage de l'information assurée par une batterie (BT1) en cas de coupure de l'alimentation, un élément de supervision (U2) chargé de détecter à la fois une exécution défaillante du programme et les coupures d'alimentation (U3), et un élément de communications (U3) qui établit électriquement la transmission de l'information vers la plaque de communication.

2. Système de contrôle des paiements et des gains pour appareils de jeux, selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé car le dispositif de contrôle est supporté par une plaque de circuit imprimé qui, en plus des éléments du microcontrôleur (U1), de l'élément de supervision (U2), de communications (U3) et des circuits électroniques associés, comprend un connecteur (CN1) à travers lequel la communication avec la machine à sous (3) et avec la plaque (2) est établie, un élément (Ux) ayant été prévu pour positionner cette plaque à l'intérieur de la machine.

3. Système de contrôle des paiements et des gains pour machines à sous, selon la revendication 1, caractérisé car la plaque de communication à infrarouge (2) dispose d'un élément émetteur (LD1) et récepteur (U5) qui en combinaison avec les éléments émetteur (LD3) et récepteur (IR2) de la plaque d'adaptation (4) permettent la transmission de l'information entre la machine à sous (3) et le terminal de données (5) par voie optique, des moyens de connexion aux éléments associés du dispositif de contrôle (1) et terminal de données (5), respectivement, ayant été prévus.

Drawing